As yoga teachers, we often find ourselves so focused on serving others that we forget to fill up our own cups. The reality is, we’re not just guiding students through postures and breathwork—we’re also sharing our energy, experiences, and inspiration. That’s why taking classes as a yoga teacher isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential.

Here’s why it’s crucial to keep showing up on your mat as a student:

1. Nurture Your Personal Practice
   We’ve all been there—so caught up in planning classes, guiding others, and managing the behind-the-scenes work that our own practice starts to slip. But as teachers, our personal practice is the wellspring of our creativity and passion. By taking classes, we get a chance to reconnect with what initially drew us to yoga. It’s a space where we can let go of leading and simply immerse ourselves in the joy of being guided.

2. Expand Your Perspective
   Taking classes with different teachers exposes us to fresh perspectives, creative sequences, and new approaches. We learn how other teachers cue, connect, and support their students. It’s a beautiful reminder that yoga is an ever-evolving journey, and there’s always more to explore. When we open ourselves up to different teaching styles, we’re not just expanding our toolkit—we’re also deepening our understanding of yoga as a whole.

3. Find Fresh Inspiration
   Let’s be real: burnout is real. If we keep pulling from the same source of inspiration, our classes can start to feel repetitive or uninspired. Taking a class can reignite that spark within us, help us step outside of our comfort zone, and inspire new ways to connect with our students. Maybe it’s a unique sequence, a new playlist, or a simple reminder to breathe deeply—whatever it is, these moments can be the fuel we need to keep our classes vibrant and engaging.

4. Be a Lifelong Student
   One of the core principles of yoga is humility—the willingness to acknowledge that we are forever students of this practice. Taking classes allows us to embrace this mindset. When we continue to learn, we model for our students the importance of being open to growth. We remind them (and ourselves) that yoga is not just a series of physical postures, but a lifelong journey of self-discovery and self-awareness.

5. Build Community
   Yoga can be a solitary practice, but it’s also a practice that thrives in community. When we take classes, we’re showing up not only for ourselves but for our fellow teachers and students. We become part of a collective energy that supports and uplifts one another. And let’s be honest—it feels good to be in a room where we can just show up as ourselves without the pressure of leading.

So, how do we make time for it?
It’s easy to let our schedules fill up with classes to teach, workshops to lead, and administrative work to manage. But making time to take classes doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Maybe it’s attending a class once a week or scheduling a monthly class with a teacher you love. Find what works for you and honor that commitment as part of your self-care and growth as a teacher.

Remember: Being a great yoga teacher isn’t just about what we give; it’s about what we allow ourselves to receive. Taking classes is a way to keep our hearts and minds open, to stay connected to the essence of our practice, and to bring our most inspired selves to our students.

Stay curious. Stay inspired. And keep showing up for yourself, too.